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Airport workers take action for higher wages on MLK Day

Over 250 people protested at Philadelphia International Airport Monday as part of a nationwide effort to denounce wage inequality among airport workers.

Airport workers take action for higher wages...

By Max Marin

January 18, 2016

Over 250 people protested at Philadelphia International Airport Monday as part of a joint effort between ten major cities to denounce wage inequality among airport workers. The protest was meant to coincide with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service.

Similar protests demanding $15 an hour resulted in arrests Monday. Six were detained in Boston at a protest at Logan International Airport, according to Boston.com. But the action in Philly went off without a hitch.

Labor union 32BJ SEIU reported that no arrests were made. Airport management did not issue an official response to the protest.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jim Kenney issued the following response in support of the action:

"Peaceful protest is a proud part of Dr. King's Legacy, and I applaud our Airport workers for carrying on that tradition today. Unlike many of their counterparts across the country,Philadelphia's subcontracted airport workers did not engage in civil disobedience at PHL today. They know we are committed to resolving the subcontracting crisis at the airport and helping them work with dignity. In the coming weeks, I will be bringing together Airport stakeholders to reach an agreement that benefits these workers and helps ensure that our airport is world-class facility."